Have Halfords caused an electrical problem in my vRS?

[grecianite]

Hi,

 

I've had my car since new, a 2004 Fabia vRS 152,000 miles and no major problems.  Was toying with getting a new car, but decided to go for a new radio instead!

 

Anyway, Halfords fitted it and since then I've had a few problems and was looking for some help.

 

• New Sony Stereo fitted
• Two weeks later, find the battery totally discharged and the AA have to come to the rescue and find my wing mirrors to be on all the time (even when no key in the ignition)
• I mention I recently had a new stereo, they look at the installation and slatie it i.e. loose wires not doing stuff j
• Resolution to the mirror issue was to switch to left/right movement when the keys not in and this seems to have worked (mirrors cool all the time)
• More recently I've found that with increasing frequency  the power steering light has been coming on (I normally just power off, then power back on to resolve)
• Today I did my normal power on/power off and the clock reset its self, meaning that I think something else is draining the battery?

Now does anyone have any idea what might be going on and if indeed Halfords could have caused this issue?  The AA have confirmed the alternator/battery to be fine.

 

Thanks loads, any help would be amazing!

 

John

 

 

[Dark_Hero]

Do you need to set the clock on the stereo each time you turn the car on? I know the red and yellow wire usually need swapping over when fitting a stereo. Not sure if that would cause battery drain though?

[grecianite]

Hiya,

 

Thanks for the reply, yep the radio clock was def going out.  I also got the AA to remove the stereo so as to eradicate that as a part of any problem.

Edited 2 July, 2014 by grecianite

[bethslad]

Had a similar problem when halfords fitted a parrot kit to my vrs, wires connected incorrectly, memory and power ( red and yellow ) wires the wrong way. Halfords don't get near my car now, I has to strip it out and fit it correctly myself, yes I know I should have just done it myself the first time but i thought it would be the easy option to get them to fit it as it was included in the price.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grecianite]

Thanks for your help.

 

Will do Halfords tomorrow - hate confrontation, so not looking forward to it.  Should be simple  - radio fitted - fitted incorrectly meaning wing mirrors on - only found out recently when car left for a day

 

What would a fair resolution be? What should I ask them to do?

[Guest BigJase88]

Red and yellow wires needing swapped over at rear of stereo

[TMB]

Thanks for your help.

 

Will do Halfords tomorrow - hate confrontation, so not looking forward to it.  Should be simple  - radio fitted - fitted incorrectly meaning wing mirrors on - only found out recently when car left for a day

 

What would a fair resolution be? What should I ask them to do?

 

I doubt there'll be any confrontation. Just explain what's wrong and they should sort it for you.

[grecianite]

Thanks guys!

 

Two more quick q's if I may.

 

1, On a Fabia, should the radio always have an electrical feed regardless of the ignition  (I think it should?)

2, With the mirror - if you point towards 'heated' would the mirror automatically heat, or would it only heat when the demister button is pressed?  (I've read the manual and it's not clear!)

 

Thanks!!

[stevobeavo]

The mirrors will heat up when in the middle position. When not using them switch it up or down otherwise you'll burn the heating element out.

[Guest BigJase88]

Thanks guys!

Two more quick q's if I may.

1, On a Fabia, should the radio always have an electrical feed regardless of the ignition (I think it should?)

2, With the mirror - if you point towards 'heated' would the mirror automatically heat, or would it only heat when the demister button is pressed? (I've read the manual and it's not clear!)

Thanks!!

Yes thats what the red and yellow connection plugs are on the back of the radio.

You have a permanent live and a switched live. You need to swap these over.

The heated mirrors on a fabia from the factory are programmed to heat all the time (can't remember if its below a certain temp) but this can burn the element out so you can adjust the heating time through programming (VCDS)

[Defenderben]

I fitted a "face off" type Sony stereo to my Defender about 8 months ago and suffered flat battery x3. Never had flat/drained battery in previous 7 years. I found if you leave the face in even though it is switched off it sucks power.

Solution for me is: Always remove the face off to get it to down power fully, not sure if any use but this was my experience

[danny6189]

I worked for Halfords in the past. Was a cycle tech so don't burn me! They let any fella fit stuff to cars. No IMI training there. Each area will have their ice guru. May be worth trying to find a big store that has fitting bays not just in a tent in the car park.